Devonport Wharf, in Auckland's North Shore, Embarks on 'Retail Strategy'

Devonport Wharf, in Auckland’s North Shore, Embarks on ‘Retail Strategy’

Alex Isik and Nigar Ivgen have opened a high-end restaurant called Devon On The Wharf inside the Auckland Transport owned Devonport Wharf.

When Auckland Transport (AT) spent $5.5 million redeveloping Devonport Wharf in 2014 it came with an explicit retail strategy.

AT metro general manager Mark Lambert described it as: “to attract current non-public transport users to Metro [public transport] facilities”.

With the opening of Devon On The Wharf bar and restaurant in the northern pavilion of Devonport Wharf it is hoped people will now visit for reasons other than to catch a ferry or a fish.

Tom Dillane

The white ornate concrete barrier that separates Devon On The Wharf’s outdoor tables from the rest of the boardwalk has been criticised by some residents as obstructive.

Operated by successful Auckland husband and wife restaurateurs, Alex Isik and Nigar Ivgen, Devon On The Wharf is open seven days a week from 5.30am to 11.00pm and serves everything from coffee, to lamb cutlets, to cocktails.

“The wharf doesn’t need a cafe, it doesn’t need a restaurant but it needs something everyone can enjoy,” Isik says.

“Around 20 people tendered for this site and council were very fussy, they were checking every point and one of the reasons they chose us I think was our company profile – it’s not a group, it’s a family owned business, my wife’s in there and the kids will work.”

Isik and Ivgen have lived in Auckland’s North Shore ever since they arrived in New Zealand 14 years ago and own 13 restaurants around the city.

“For us this is not only a business, it is our future, our next life is going to be here,” Isik says.

However, while the initial reviews of Devon On The Wharf have been very complimentary, some Devonport residents are displeased about a moveable concrete barrier that sections off the restaurant’s outdoor tables from the rest of the boardwalk.

“The dedicated purpose of that deck was to have a sheltered throughway for passengers getting to the ferry when the wind is coming from the East,” Devonport resident Lindsay Brock says.

AT say a public thoroughfare among the restaurant outdoor tables under the sheltered section of Devonport Wharf will soon be available.

“The internal public thoroughfare from the northern entrance will be retained as in accordance with consent requirements and is to be re-opened shortly,” AT media relations manager Mark Hannan says.

“This end of the wharf has been temporarily blocked off from public access to safely carry out construction works.”

AT also clarify that under the planning regulations 30 per cent of the deck area “can be used for private concessions”.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chairman Joseph Bergin says overall the public’s views and use of space on the wharf have been well respected by the tenant.

“I personally haven’t had any complaints directly but I have heard about some from AT,” Bergin says.

“In terms of Devonport Wharf generally I think the tenant has used the space really well and worked quite hard to keep the lines of sight to the city open.

“There are only a few physical structures that obstruct views.”

 – Stuff

The post Devonport Wharf, in Auckland’s North Shore, Embarks on ‘Retail Strategy’ appeared first on Cooper & Co.